Around the time of his 71st birthday, rock-&-roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis unveiled LAST MAN STANDING, a celebratory outing that features a stunning cast of guest musicians, ranging from B.B. King and Little Richard to Merle Haggard and Neil Young. Among the many highlights of this album are Lewis's lively collaboration with guitarist Jimmy Page on Led Zeppelin's "Rock N' Roll," a rendition that wonderfully plays up the tune's 1950s leanings, and the Killer's honky-tonk spin on Hank Williams's "Lost Highway," which points to his often-overlooked country recordings and features Delaney Bramlett's searing six-string work. Like the latter-day recordings of his old Sun labelmate Johnny Cash, this Lewis collection points to a remarkable legacy, while also displaying his still-formidable talents, resulting in a musical testament to aging impressively well.

Producer: Jimmy Rip; Steve Bing

Artist Overview

Owing as much to 1950s wrestling bad guy Gorgeous George as he did to Elvis Presley, rock's original wildman didn't so much play rock & roll as he played Jerry Lee Lewis. A powerful honky-tonk pianist and singer, Lewis is that rare breed of star whose outsize ego is more than matched by his talent. He was among the first to show that the piano could challenge the guitar's rock & roll hegemony, and--along with Elvis, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins--he formed the legendary mid-'50s stable of Sun Records, a group of performers that would forever change the face of popular music.

Technical Info

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone (p.70) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Despite all the high-powered guests, Lewis stays in charge throughout LAST MAN STANDING....Most of his command now comes from the slamming, swinging passion of his barrelhouse piano."

Entertainment Weekly (p.80) - "The Killer's first new studio CD in more than a decade finds him in strong form, his iconic voice still recognizable and ivory-tinkling fingers still nimble..."

Q (p.146) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Impressive at any age."

No Depression (p.97) - "Nothing really has been lost on this disc in his fierce and knowing, insinuating vocals, or his pumping rhythm and attack."

Mojo (Publisher) (p.101) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Weighing in at a hefty 21 tracks, and five years in the making, it proves beyond any doubt that the Killer can still whup his rivals after an astonishing half-century of recording."

Bio

Owing as much to 1950s wrestling bad guy Gorgeous George as he did to Elvis Presley, rock's original wildman didn't so much play rock & roll as he played Jerry Lee Lewis. A powerful honky-tonk pianist and singer, Lewis is that rare breed of star whose outsize ego is more than matched by his talent. He was among the first to show that the piano could challenge the guitar's rock & roll hegemony, and--along with Elvis, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins--he formed the legendary mid-'50s stable of Sun Records, a group of performers that would forever change the face of popular music.